Make your return to Australia financially rewarding

THE HARD NOSED TRUTH | For many returning Australian expats the thought of moving away from their overseas homes can be an over-whelming prospect. However, with proper planning this can become exciting as well as financially rewarding.

AS an expat you’re already on the property ladder back home, right?

If the answer is no, now is the time to buy. Over the next few weeks Australian Times will be running a series of articles about what steps you need to take to make sure you don’t miss out on buying property back home — we’ll be covering buying real estate in WA, NSW, SA, Queensland and Victoria with current information about property prices and employment prospects in each state.

For many returning Australian expats the thought of moving away from their overseas homes can be an over-whelming prospect. Sadly, through changed circumstances and economic downturns we sometimes have no choice but to move on and leave our expatriate lifestyle behind. However, with proper planning this can be an exciting prospect. After all, it’s always great to go home.

Both Sydney & Melbourne can compete with any of the world’s best global cities, so don’t be too distraught if your job has just come to an end in London, Hong Kong or New York. Your children will become quickly reacquainted with pristine beaches, a fine education system and calling a big country home. You’ll soon get used to spectacular landscape and meeting up with friends and family every week rather than once a year. There are compensations in returning home, but it’s important to plan carefully no matter where you decide to settle.

Western Australia’s property market is surprisingly affordable at the moment, especially in Mandurah, one fast growing Perth metro suburb. Mandurah is situated 68 kilometres south of the city with good motorways and a fast link railway that takes about 30 minutes.

Mandurah’s figures make encouraging reading for even the most cautious investor — whether you want to get on the property ladder, capital growth, lifestyle or maybe both.

Median Price $348,000 – $430,000

1 year growth +32.0% -7.1%

5 year growth +12.8%

Source: REIWA March 2010

Less than an hour’s drive to Perth CBD, Mandurah is renowned as a water lover’s paradise. Directly on the coast, Mandurah boasts one of the best water oriented lifestyles in Australia and offers a range of stunning property alternatives. The Peel Estuary and waterways pass through town to offer the boat lover many options for enjoyment; fishing, crabbing, skiing or estuary and ocean activities. A ten minute boat trip – perhaps from your own canal front home – takes you to the town’s doorstep. Small city lovers will find plenty of units and townhouses all within walking distance of the action.

For newcomers there are plenty of amenities including excellent schools, Mandurah’s famed cafe strip/foreshore and some of the best shopping to be found outside of Perth. Enjoy the cultural side with art galleries and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre a short stroll away.

If you are an investor, this area is always popular with prospective tenants due to the convenient locale. Mandurah is thriving and is fast becoming one of WA’s most desirable locations.

With WA pushing for more skilled people than ever before, now has never been a better time to make the move back home. Check out government sites to see if your specialization is on a list of occupations that Australia is interested in filling. There are significant gaps in the labour market. Currently, everything from medical practitioners, IT workers to engineers and accountants, as well as a wide range of trade occupations such as plumbers, bricklayers and hairdressers are desperately needed. In addition, Australia recently increased the number of places allocated for skilled migrants by 30 per cent over the previous year. Australia needs you!

For further information or advice on applying for government grants for first time buyers, tax efficient mortgages and other vital facts contact Australian Homebuyers International at their office in Canary Wharf, London. The two principals are Western Australians, with over thirty years’ experience in the real estate sector, and they are on a mission to make sure that every expat is very well informed about repatriation to Australia.

Viv

Former journalist with the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and the Daily News in Perth. Probably I can be best described as a typical expatriate having lived and worked in Germany, France, Cyprus, Hong Kong, London, Perth WA and the United Arab Emirates. Currently I spend half the year in Byron Bay NSW and the other half in the South of France and London. I'm very happy to help any company with writing editorials, brochures or websites.